building site levels

[sm_jamieson]

What is the easier / best way of setting levels on a building site these days ? E.g for brick walls, foundations etc., where a straight edge or long level is not sufficient ? Simon.

[Mr Uncalled-For]

See-through plastic pipe with water in it?

[dom]

Rotary laser level and a traveller (not the kind in an old van, a post with a base to keep it upright). Functionally equivalent to the traditional surveyors level and staff,but quicker to use and only requires one person.

[The Natural Philosopher]

water manometer is pretty good, or a theodolite.

I have used string, with a sightline along it and a long spirit level level.

Basically drive marked posts in and string string between the marks, and then use a level in the middle and a mate with a mallet.

Its near enough for building work.

[dg]

If this is for your extension, then just transfer the level from your existing DPC to the new corners, and guage up and down from this. Mark it on a stake in the ground

You can use a 1200mm level (ie the one you should be buying to do the brickwork) and you will not be far out for an extension .

Just remember to reverse the level as you set out to cancel any inaccuraces - eg imagine one end of the level is A and the other B, then it will be A-B then B-A then A-B etc over the distance you are levelling

dg

[Owain]

I agree, although adding some Irn-Bru makes the level easier to see[1]. Reliable, accurate, works round corners, through walls (if you drill a hole in the wall for the hose), over hill and dale, needs no batteries, doesn't die when you tread on it.

Owain

[1] A wee tip from "Grand Designs" there.

[Andy Dingley]

Still a water level. Easy, accurate, and it works over a longer range than most optical levels, unless you're very careful with them (vibration is your enemy here). It also avoids the need for an assistant. I like the IrnBru triick, so long as you don't have to drink the stuff! I just squirt a few drops from my fountain pen into each end - you only have to colour the last foot or so.

A Cowley level or Sitesquare (eBay) is a good optical level to use if you do go that way. A Sitesquare will also lay out a right angle corner for you. You'll need stadia rods and boning rods, but they're easily DIYed.

A projected spot laser will cost you at least 200 quid if you expect to use it outdoors, and it's a pain to use. They have their uses, but this isn't it.

[The Medway Handyman]

Water levels are amazingly good and incredibly simple to use. I use one when building decks, 100% accurate, 100% reliable, cheap to buy, no batteries, can be seen in all light conditions, works around corners. I think mine was £15 from Toolstation.

[Huge]

Irn-Bru tastes like wee? I know it's nasty, but really?

:o)